'Field of Honor' Planned To Honor Veterans at Moraine Valley

PALOS HILLS, IL — Three local organizations are working to create an awe-inspiring panorama of American flags to fly in solemn formation on the Moraine Valley Community College campus in Palos Hills, Sept. 10 through Sept. 13. Organizers are hoping this stirring display of the Stars and Stripes will bring the community together in a patriotic tribute to honor past and current military service members.

Sertoma, Hickory Hills Kiwanis and Palos-area Lions clubs are teaming up to raise funds for the Field of Honor. Residents throughout the Chicago region can purchase a flag for $49.99 or make a donation to honor a veteran or someone currently serving in the military. The flags can be purchased online through the Colonial Flag Foundation. The deadline to purchase a flag is Aug. 15.

Flag sponsors are also encouraged to share their loved one's branch of service and anecdote about their call to duty. As visitors walk through the Field of Honor, they can read the individual stories of the men and women that each flag is honoring. The installation honors veterans, living or dead, from all eras.

Originally, the installation was going to be at Bennett Park. Lebarre said the response has been so great, that the Field of Honor has been moved to the Moraine Valley campus, 9000 College Parkway, Palos Hills. A portion of the proceeds from flag sales will go to the Sertoma Hearing and Speech Center in Hickory Hills, and the Kiwanis and Lions clubs.

The Colonial Flag Foundation has helped communities throughout the United States to raise money for veterans homes and organizations, install playgrounds, fund scholarships, domestic abuse shelters and other charities by staging “healing fields” or “fields of honor” to honor veterans in their communities.

“The lion’s share will go back to the community,” said Mike Lebarre, a Palos Hills alderman and one of the event organizers.

About 70 million people fought in World War II, and, as of 2021, with approximately 240,000 surviving veterans in the United States today, according to the U.S. census. The oldest surviving WWII veteran, Larwence Books, of New Orleans, died in January at age 112.

In 2020, there are over 1 million Korean War veterans living in the United States today, with a median age of 88; by 2030, the Veterans Administration expects the aging Korean War population to fall below 300,000.

“This is the least we can do for our veterans,” Lebarre told Patch. “We owe them more than we can ever repay them.”

An opening ceremony dedicating the Field of Honor will be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 10, The field of honor is free to visitors.

Flag sponsors will be able to collect their flags on Sept. 13; unclaimed flags will be stored for 30 days at the Palos Hills Public Works facility, 7860 W. 108th St.

In addition to flag sponsors, there are opportunities for event sponsors, too. For more information, contact Ald. Mike Lebarre, mlebarre@paloshillsweb.org, or call him at 708-717-6002.